WGN has been a Blackhawks' TV rights holder since the start of the '08-09 season

The Blackhawks and WGN on Thursday announced a three-year extension of their TV rights deal through the conclusion of the '18-19 NHL season. The current agreement was not set to expire for two more years. The Chicago-based network has been one of the Blackhawks' TV rights holders since the start of the '08-09 season. WGN under the new deal will air 20 games each regular season. Pat Foley and Eddie Olczyk will continue as the game broadcasters (Blackhawks). Tribune President of Broadcast Media Larry Wert said that while Blackhawks’ games “do not air” on WGN America, negotiations are “underway to expand the broadcasts into adjacent markets through affiliates” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/16). In Chicago, Danny Ecker noted the extension “also aligns the expiration dates of broadcast contracts the Hawks have with WGN-TV and Comcast SportsNet Chicago” (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 5/15).